MPCA office in Willmar to close permanently on December 8

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) plans to permanently close its office in Willmar, Minn., effective Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. All staff will keep their jobs. Six staff members assigned to the office will be re-assigned to alternate work locations, or will work from the Marshall MPCA office.

One of seven MPCA regional offices outside the Twin City metro area, the Willmar office opened in 1999 at 201 28th Ave. SW. In 2006, it moved to 1601 E. Hwy. 12. With the fewest staff among regional offices, MPCA officials decided that closure would reduce costs with minimal effect on services.

Along with the MPCA office in Marshall, the Willmar office served 18 counties in southwestern Minnesota. The Marshall office, which opened in 1976, will continue to work with citizens and businesses in protecting the environment.

Other regional offices are located in Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Mankato, and Rochester. More information about these MPCA offices is available on the agency's MPCA offices webpage.